take 115 down to 95 and make a right

I have been mulling over some ideas to bring my film’s current TRT down from 115 to 95. When the first rough cut came in at nearly two hours, with five scenes left to shoot I didn’t freak out. I know how these things change. Unfortunately, many folks around me started freaking out. I got comments like,

“My God, a two hour movie? You can’t have two hour movie!”

“You gotta cut it down, you gotta cut it down!”

“No one’s going to watch a two hour movie!”

“What are you going to do?”

“Oh, the agony, the agony of cutting! Arrrgggh!”

Ah well, so much for individuality, right? If an indie filmmaker makes an film that runs two hours he shouldn’t automatically be quantified as self-indulgent nor be subject to an extra dose of scrutiny. There are very successful indie films that have run two hours. In fact I just watched a Wong Kar Wai film that ran 125 minutes. However, there are some very important things to consider. One, I’m not Wong Kar Wai  Two, my goal is to get this film distributed theatrically and I have to think like a distributor. And three, there’s always a viable Plan B if you look at all the options and think outside the box.

So, over the past few days I’ve been thinking about how I can cut down my film. Every scene went into a mental chopping block. EVERY SCENE. Every actor became subject to a dialog-reduction process. Fact is, my scenes are long because I wrote a lot of dialog, albeit colorful and irreverent. But, I can cut it down. So I will.

As I acquiesced to the TRT reduction I thought, “Okay, I guess I just have to sacrifice those scenes for the greater good of higher distribution prospects” and then it hit me — why should I leave those scenes on teh cutting room floor forever?

Ever heard of ‘the director’s cut?’ Sure, the directors cut! How about DVD distribution (post theatrical) with thirty minutes of additional footage? Is that a cool selling tool or what?  I can read it now:

Broken Hearts Club: The Director’s Cut features 33 minutes of extra footage not see in the movies!

Um, like, yeah. I can totally deal with that, dood. Like totally.

So, I’ll be cut-cut-cutting away. Free of second thoughts, fears etc. And waiting for my cut scenes to be resurrected during the DVD distribution.

I’ll be taking 115 down to 95 and in doing so, making a “right” turn.